And in the case of a brain under attack from Alzheimer's, things can go terribly wrong.

A progressive neuro-degenerative brain disease, Alzheimer's steals not only memory but judgment, identity, the ability to think, plan – and ultimately life itself. The sixth leading killer in the U.S., and the only disease among the top 10 with no cure or way to slow it down, the Alzheimer's epidemic isn't looming. It's here.

If you think you have little chance of getting Alzheimer's, think again. Every 67 seconds someone develops the disease – killing more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Satcher, who calls Alzheimer's "the most under-recognized threat to public health in the 21st century," says progress is being held back by limited visibility and limited funding.

The most expensive disease in the United States, we spend $226 billion annually on care for those with Alzheimer's – nearly two-thirds of which is paid with government funds. Yet for every $26,500 Medicare and Medicaid spend caring for someone with Alzheimer's, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends only $100 on research to end it.

Investment in research works. Thanks to the billions of dollars poured into research for cancer, heart disease and HIV over the last decade, deaths from those diseases have fallen, while deaths from Alzheimer's have soared in the same time period – 71 percent.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month – a perfect time to think about the importance of your brain and protecting it. There is exciting research on the horizon, as well as the goal of a prevention or cure by 2025 – just 10 years from now – set by the National Alzheimer's Plan.

Ten years isn't far away, and everyone can help keep the 2025 promise

•Talk to your legislators. Thank U.S. Reps. Steve Chabot, Thomas Massie and Brad Wenstrup for co-sponsoring the Alzheimer's Accountability Act. Passed earlier this year, the Accountability Act ensures that, for the first time, NIH will come before Congress annually to explain what's needed to end Alzheimer's. Ask legislators to increase funding for research. That investment will save millions of lives and billions of dollars.

•Take the Purple Pledge. Log on to www.alz.org and commit to raise brain awareness in June. Support those with Alzheimer's by helping turn the world purple and bring this disease out of the shadows. Globally, 47 million people are living with Alzheimer's. It's time to change those numbers.

•Honor those with Alzheimer's on The Longest Day. On Sunday, the summer solstice, thousands of people worldwide will participate in The Longest Day, a sunrise-to-sunset event. On that day, teams are encouraged to fund-raise and participate in an activity they love to honor people facing the disease.

There is a fierce battle raging in the lives of more than 50,000 people living with Alzheimer's disease in Greater Cincinnati – a battle we can win.

Join us in ending the Alzheimer's epidemic. Your brain is worth saving.

To learn more about the Purple Pledge, The Longest Day or the many free services provided by the Alzheimer's Association, visit www.alz.org/cincinnati or call 800-272-3900.